Berlin Ride begins

Fabian begins his long journey to Berlin

Fabian has been given a warm send off at the beginning of his very challenging charity cycle ride to Berlin.

A large group was waiting at the Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Centre in Stonegate Road early this morning in anticipation of Fabian's arrival on his bike with Rosy his wife in the support car. His get away was somewhat delayed due to the many people who had come along to give Fabian their personal well wishes.

Fabian was delighted to meet 96 year old Joe Wayne who had represented England riding solo and on a tandem in a cycling tournament some 80 years ago.

A special warm send-off message was offered by Barbara Harpham, Chief Executive of the Leeds based charity Heart Research UK and her colleague responsible for publicity, Faye Keatley. Heart Research UK is one of the charities that Fabian hopes will receive support because of his cycling challenge. Fabian has been a trustee of the charity Heart Research UK for a number of years.

The photograph shows Fabian with Barbara and Faye and flanked by Policy Community Support officers Ed Chandler and Darren Nelson who accompanied Fabian at the start of his journey through the constituency.

Naturally there were many representatives from the Jewish community present to see Fabian's journey begin. Another project that Fabian is supporting is Radio J Com the local radio station serving the Jewish community in North Leeds and beyond. Fabian will be sending a regular series of blogs to Radio J Com in order that listeners can follow Fabian on his journey. (Radio J Com broadcasts to North Leeds on 1386 AM Medium Wave and on the Internet at www.radiojcom.com

On leaving the Ziff Centre, Fabian called in at the Kosherie in Moortown where the proprietor kindly donated two delicatessen meals to sustain Fabian and Rosy on the first day of the adventure.

Fabian's final stop in the constituency was the Islamic Centre and Mosque on Spencer Place in Chapeltown. Here Fabian and other supporters who gad come along from Moortown were greeted by Dr Khan and other elders of the Mosque. For them it was particularly poignant in that today is the first day of Ramadan. Fabian is supporting the Mosque appeal for funding to provide much needed sports facilities for youngsters in the area.

Fabian waved everyone goodbye at the Mosque as he set off on a specially planned cycle route to Hull where he will be greeted by Hull MP, the former Labour Health Secretary Alan Johnson before he takes the overnight ferry to Rotterdam.